Save the Strays Animal Rescue & Sanctuary: Grant Report

How did this grant help your organization and the pets in your care?

Our fenced outdoor exercise area encompasses about half an acre. There are five large pens within that area where dogs can enjoy the outdoors individually or in pairs. The remaining open area is for supervised group play and human-canine interaction. We used our grant to purchase lumber, hardware and related supplies, as well as a variety of toys, to build items that might be typically be found at a dog park. Our goal was to create a richer environment for the dogs as they play individually, in groups, and with caretakers and visitors.

Thanks to the funds provided by the Petfinder Foundation, each of our individual pens now has a wading pool, toy-tug pole that enables the dogs to play tug of war by themselves, and multiple balls and other toys with which the dogs can amuse themselves. Items in the larger play yard now include a seesaw, taller and shorter balance beams (for large and small dogs), a platform with steps and slide, a tunnel, two tug-toy poles and two wading pools. These items provide opportunities to work on building the dogs' confidence in themselves and their own abilities, as well as their trust in humans -- something many strays and shelter dogs sorely need.

How many pets did this grant help?

We have 20 to 25 dogs at this location at any given time.

Please provide a story of one or more specific pets this grant helped.

Delilah (first photo) is a 3- to 4-year-old boxer we rescued from a high-[intake] shelter, with scars on her body that tell us she had a hard start to life. We’re using the seesaw, slide and balance beam as training aids to help her learn to trust and follow her human’s commands and give her a sense of structure as she waits for a new home. Delilah will be available for adoption soon. Keebler (second photo) is a 6-year-old Pekingese who was found as a stray. Like many Pekes, he can be willful. We’re using positive reinforcement (treats and toys) and activities like the balance beam to teach him cooperation. Keebler is available for adoption. His Petfinder URL iswww.petfinder.com/petdetail/38703630.

Clint is a 10-month-old mixed breed, rescued from a high-[intake] shelter, who has webbed feet and loves water, so he’s really enjoying the wading pools we were able to purchase. He’s also a little shy, so we’re using the new playground equipment to build his confidence in himself and us. Clint will be available for adoption shortly.

Milo (fourth photo) is an 8-year-old, owner-surrendered pug who has been with us for almost two years. Milo has spondylitis, which makes his back legs weak and causes fecal incontinence and urinary retention, so he is one of our sanctuary dogs. Although he gets around without a mobility aid, he can’t use any of the playground items we created with our Petfinder Foundation grant. So we made sure he got a variety of toys. His favorite? The treat-dispensing roller toy, of course!

THANK YOU, Petfinder Foundation, for helping us put more fun and creative stimulation into our dogs’ lives!